War in Ukraine: Europeans want to be represented by five countries, including France, during the next negotiations
The President of the European Council announced this format on Friday after a summit in Dublin, but Moscow sowed doubt by ensuring that it had not lifted its veto on the presence of Europeans.
Quick Look
- The Europeans have decided to be represented by five countries (France, Germany, United Kingdom, Poland, Italy) and representatives of the EU during the next negotiations on Ukraine, according to a decision announced by Antonio Costa in Dublin.
- Moscow, however, sowed doubt by asserting that it had not lifted its veto.
- Zelensky also demanded an explanation of restrictions affecting SpaceX's Starshield military satellite system.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The Europeans decided to keep the format of participation in the negotiations on Ukraine with five countries (France, Germany, United Kingdom, Poland, Italy) and representatives of the EU. This decision was announced by the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, after a summit of 27 in Dublin. Moscow, however, sowed doubt by asserting that it had not lifted its veto on the presence of Europeans.
War in Ukraine: Europeans want to be represented by five countries, including France, during the next negotiations
This format was announced by the President of the European Council on Friday following a summit in Dublin. But Moscow has sowed doubt by asserting that it has in no way lifted its veto on the presence of Europeans.
What you need to know
For the next negotiations on Ukraine, the Europeans have decided to keep the format in which they participated in the previous ones, with five countries (France, Germany, United Kingdom, Poland, Italy) and representatives of the EU. “Europe must speak with a clear and united voice in all discussions that shape the future of Ukraine and the security of our continent,” declared Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, announcing this decision at the end of a summit of the 27 EU in Dublin.
The American envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, who met Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Thursday and then Volodymyr Zelensky in Dublin, claimed to have obtained the green light from Russia for the next session to be extended to Europeans. But Moscow has sowed doubt by asserting that it has in no way lifted its veto. The Kremlin first wants to know the "true intentions" of the Europeans, and ensure "their willingness to contribute to the peace process", before "deciding on holding talks in an expanded format", its spokesperson Dmitri Peskov declared on Friday. Follow our live stream.
The American Starshield military satellite system disrupted. Ukrainian authorities are seeking explanations regarding the restrictions imposed on the Starshield military satellite system of the American company SpaceX, which have affected Ukraine since Thursday, Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday. “I asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and the Minister of Defense to intensify their contacts with the American State Department, the Pentagon and SpaceX in order to obtain clarifications and resolve the situation,” he declared on X. A restriction of this localization system, crucial for intercepting certain Russian drones, had already been observed in October. The White House and Elon Musk, owner of SpaceX, rejected responsibility.
“Progress made” during the negotiations. “Significant differences remain, but we are encouraged by the progress made,” said American envoy Jared Kushner after Russian-Ukrainian negotiations Tuesday and Wednesday in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and after a meeting Thursday between American envoys and Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
Nine dead in Russia. Ukraine carried out a drone attack of rare magnitude against Russia which left nine dead according to Russian authorities, while Russian strikes against Ukraine left at least three dead, according to the authorities of the two countries on Friday.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Moscow will decide whether the Europeans can participate in the talks in an expanded format after assessing their intentions.
Likely · Within weeks
Ukrainian authorities will get explanations about Starshield system restrictions.
Possible · Within days
Open Questions
- Will Moscow ultimately accept European participation in the negotiations?
- What are the exact restrictions affecting the Starshield system and who imposes them?
- When will the next negotiations between Russia and Ukraine take place?
